Five Things I Learned on My Journey to Becoming a Physician

by | Nov 13, 2018 | Featured - Home, Featured - Life as a Physician, Life as a Physician

Five Things I Learned on My Journey to Becoming a Physician
  1. “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right!” -Henry Ford

I was recently contacted by an undergraduate pre-med student who was upset regarding a grade she received in organic chemistry – a notorious “weed out” class for pre-med students. Most of us, as pre-meds, are used to getting near-perfect grades and being very hard on ourselves. This student was told by an advisor that she would never get into medical school with a “C” in organic chemistry. My jaw hit the floor. What does this dream-killing advisor know?

Now, of course, there are, unfortunately, many great applicants turned down by medical schools every year.  There is no way to absolutely guarantee admission, and it is extremely competitive.  You want to make yourself as competitive as possible.  Yes, ideally you would have perfect grades. But, not everyone does.  In fact, many of my fellow physicians have told me they received a B or C in organic chemistry.  You work your hardest and do your best, and make your application as strong as it possibly can be – do great on the MCAT, have great letters of recommendation, strong research experience, etc.

Bottom line: people will line up to tell you what you can’t do.  Don’t ask them. Fortunately, it’s not up to them.  If you truly want something and believe it can be done – it will be. Focus on your goal, work as hard as you can, do everything you can, have faith, and keep believing it is yours.  Don’t let the naysayers get you down.

All this being said, you MUST want it badly. Whatever “it” is for you. You must want it like an asthmatic wants air. You must be willing to work harder than you’ve ever worked before. You must fight for it. You must believe you can do it and never give up, despite any insurmountable odds or adversities you may face along the way.

  1. “Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.” -Maya Angelou

The medical training process to become a physician is a long and challenging one. For me, it was 4 years of undergraduate studies, 4 years of medical school, a one-year internship in general medicine, and 3 years of dermatology residency.  It seems like you will be in training forever.  But, you won’t.  A practicing physician told me as a first-year medical student that somehow, he looked back fondly on his time in medical school. At the time, I laughed and thought, “Easy for him to say.”

However, I now completely agree – I look back fondly on that time. It was hard in every way possible – mentally, physically, intellectually.  Grueling at times. I remember thinking, “How am I ever going to get through this?”  But, I did and I wouldn’t trade a single step along the process. I learned what hard work really is. I learned what I am capable of. I made life-long friends along the way. I learned what an amazing partner, friend, and supporter my husband is.  I delivered several babies, assisted in life-saving surgeries, learned about and saw many rare conditions, and met so many amazing and inspiring patients.  Enjoy the journey.

  1. Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people who believe in you and support you.

I don’t think I would’ve made it through medical school without my amazing husband.  He believed in me at times when I didn’t believe in myself. He encouraged me when I needed it. He drove me to class on test days so I could study for just a few more minutes. He attended innumerable weddings and other events solo because I was studying or working.  He was my number one fan, biggest cheerleader and fearless supporter. He moved across the country with me for residency.  I will forever be grateful to him and to many other friends and family members who supported me and helped me along the way.

  1. Go into every rotation and class as though that is what you may want to do for the rest of your life.

I will be the first to admit that I was interested in dermatology for years before I even went to medical school (dermatology was love at first site for me when I was in junior high and my dermatologist fixed my acne). However, I was always on the lookout for something I loved even more.  While I never found another field that I loved like dermatology, I found that approaching each rotation with that mindset made me a better learner.  I approached each patient as they were my very own and determined the best way to diagnose and treat them. I learned so much more and enjoyed each month so much more with that mindset.

  1. It’s ok, and often necessary, to be selfish with your time – you owe it to your future patients.

While we all have responsibilities outside of school and training that take precedence over school (i.e., a sick child, etc.), medical school and residency are times in your life you need to be selfish with your time (again, there are certainly exceptions to this rule).  This is your time to learn life-saving medicine.  You can’t go back and have this time again. There were many weddings, funerals, and events I missed because I had to study or work. Many people, the supportive ones, will understand. Unfortunately, not everyone will.  But, that’s ok.  They don’t have to. The depth and breadth of knowledge one must attain during medical school and residency is incomprehensible to most people.  Many have no idea what you are going through. It’s ok and oftentimes necessary to be selfish with your time and focus on learning everything you can.  You never know when some pearl or tip you learned along the way will be needed to potentially save someone’s life.